Steam Dreams 2025

Regarding the ECS from Upperby to Barrow.

Am I right in thinking that Blue Peter will head the ECS from Carlisle and the diesel will haul the ECS with BP on the rear to Barrow.

 

Nine movements (not all conflicting) across Carnforth N Jct between 0809 and 0842 . A nuclear flask train occupying one of the GLs, not sure about the other one.

 

Also possibly going to Lancaster for water as well, as the run Barrow to Chester is also stopping at Lancaster in the same platform presumably for water

 

Deleted as info was wrong.

 

Surely 60532 will be on the back from Lancaster to Askham from where it can lead into Barrow to pick up the passengers ?
David

 

My apologies - for some reason I was thinking BIF was a terminal station!

 

I take it this is tomorrows Lakes Express going up the S&C, with 60532 hauled?
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U61855/2025-09-09/detailed

 

Yes it is

 

Does anyone know what motive traction will pull the non steam hauled legs on the Lakes Express. Diesel or Electric?

 

Given it starts at Victoria unless LSL now have a Class 92 or other bi-mode vehicle I would assume its diesel the only other way it could be partially electric is an unrealistically quick (for these days) loco change when it is sat at Wembley.

 

Left CRE 24L

 

Had been held at Colwich for over 10 minutes to allow a number of late-running Avanti services to overtake.

 

Half an hour late at Dutton Viaduct, no sun and no exhaust.

 

Still half an hour late at Whalley and too warm for visible exhaust but going well with minimal rear end assistance.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54776244596/in/photostream/

After a shortened water stop at Chatburn, 60532 passing Settle Junction 17 late.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54776243901/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90397953@N02/54775394697/in/photostream/

 

60532 at Settle with the Lakes Express

 

With a moody looking Pen-y-Ghent as a backdrop LNER A2 Class No. 60532 'Blue Peter' approaches the lovely hamlet of Selside with day 1 of the 'Lakes Express' 1Z32 from London Victoria to Oxenholme via Carlisle

 

Autumn is here, leaves are falling from the nearby horse chestnut and the plants in the hedgerows are looking jaded, their work done for another year. A dry day was forecast with the chance of sunshine. Blue Peter was scheduled to haul today's offering from Steam Dreams, "The Lakes Express". Day 1 of the tour started at London Victoria with steam haulage from Crewe, then via Blackburn, Hellifield and the S&C to Carlisle where steam would be detached and the tour would continue to Oxenholme. If it was sunny then the sun would be in just the right place for the climb out of Blackburn to Brownhill.

Domestics were arranged to allow Oswald an afternoon pass. The train was due to travel through Blackburn at 13.54, that'll do nicely. During the morning most northbound traffic on the WCML picked up a delay of around 20 minutes, our train was no exception. Arriving 20L into Crewe the loco change took place and 60532 headed north 24L, eventually settling in a path about 30 minutes later than planned. I hung about at home for an extra few minutes then headed to Brownhill to get a good spot, it didn't go quite as I had hoped.

When I arrived there were already a few people set up, the biggest problem being a big guy who had set his tripod against the fence, other than going nearer to Blackburn and potentially getting in other people's shots it was difficult to exclude him. By this time several others had arrived and possible locations were gobbled up. In the end I settled for a long telephoto shot and a wider shot that just(?) excluded him. With hindsight I might have been better going wider still and including him and the others who had now joined him. (When I later reviewed the footage from this second camera, save for a still image, I decided not to use it, hey ho!)

The retired Longsight driver who I had spoken to last week at R&W was already there and an old mate and his wife rolled up and we all chatted as we waited. By this time there must have been at least 20 people, most of whom were taking video or stills. The word spread that the train was at Blackburn, everyone readied themselves. After seeing it here, my friends were rushing off to the Chatburn water stop so we said our goodbyes before they made their way some distance nearer to Blackburn. 2 or 3 minutes later, Blue Peter appeared in the distance, being a warm, dry day there was no visible exhaust but there was some steam from the safety valves. The train made its way towards us, a photographer (an old guy) who had been engrossed in his phone suddenly announced in a loud voice that the train was at Daisyfield, some whispered back that it was actually coming up the track!

The train slowly gathered pace, as it drew nearer the sound from the chimney went up a notch and as it did so the alarm on a parked car went off - you couldn't make it up! Blue Peter was now making quite a racket with that characteristic hissing snarl from the Kylchap exhaust. There was plenty of lift on the translucent grey exhaust that shot from the loco's chimney. The sun teased but didn't quite put in a full appearance but was bright enough to light the magnificent blue paintwork. It was interesting to see that the generator car was in the consist, making 12 coaches. 57311 was on the back, that loco is certainly accumulating the miles. We didn't get a blast on either of the whistles, maybe next time. 18C, around 37L & 30mph.

A couple of warm days have seen an increase in the number of butterflies, Maisie has spent a considerable amount of time outside but has not returned with any trophies. After an afternoon on the prowl she gobbled up her tea and is currently fast asleep in her bed. I would like to place on record that, unlike our "new recruit", Clun Castle is not my favourite locomotive - what a naughty Oswald I am!

 

Pleasington this afternoon. 21 degrees so not much going on up top..................

 

View attachment 94054

A beautiful day on the Settle & Carlisle Railway with a rare afternoon northbound run Steam Dreams The Lakes Express 60532 Blue Peter' looking superb at Lunds Paddock.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/